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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






2. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






3. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






4. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






5. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






6. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






7. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






8. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






9. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






10. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






11. Group of singers in a chorus.






12. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






13. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






14. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






15. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






16. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






17. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






18. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






19. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






20. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






21. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






22. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






23. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






24. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






25. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






26. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






27. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






28. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






29. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






30. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






31. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






32. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






33. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






34. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






35. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






36. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






37. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






38. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






39. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






40. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.






41. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






42. A separate section of a larger composition.






43. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






44. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






45. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






46. A string of chords played in succession.






47. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






48. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






49. A composition written for nine instruments.






50. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.